Lord's Place program in West Palm helps homeless find hope

When employees at The Lord's Place created a pilot program in October to help the homeless, they were hoping to help 100 people per month.

Today, they serve about 100 people per day.

"We had no idea what to expect," said Diana Stanley, the agency's executive director.

The Lord's Place in West Palm Beach started the Engagement Center program to "meet the homeless where they are," said Missie Malaney, director of program services.

Agency officials say this model is working. Since opening, the center on North Australian Avenue has had 7,659 visits; it has served more than 109 families with children and provided 369 people with transportation assistance.

The Lord's Place hopes to enhance the program's offerings and expand similar services to other parts of Palm Beach County.

"We're reaching a population who normally will not seek out social services," Malaney said.

Clients are guided by formerly homeless peer advocates in getting food stamps, health care services and jobs so they can be self-sufficient.

Lanell Williams, 40, said these services were essential to his survival.

Living on the streets, Williams said he didn't know who he was or what he wanted out of life, and he didn't care if he lived or died.

So he came to the Engagement Center.

"I got the opportunity to sit down, think and realize I'm worth something and I can do something productive," Williams said.

Williams is now employed: He runs the chef apprentice program at Cafe Joshua, the agency's program that serves meals and provides counseling to clients.

"I've seen so many other Band-Aid agencies that just help people get along," said the Rev. Victor B. Willis, senior pastor at United Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches. "The Lord's Place gives those who want it a way out of homelessness."

The agency, which is not religiously affiliated, runs the program on a budget of about $300,000. Stanley said if the agency expands its services, the program would need $400,000.

The Lords Place is supported by the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, the United Way of Palm Beach County, the town of Palm Beach United Way and various faith-based organizations. Stanley said the agency still is looking for a major donor to support the new program's expansion.

West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel said in addition to helping the homeless, the Engagement Center improves the community at large.

"Instead of having people drifting with no place to go and no job, [The Lord's Place] is giving a sense of purpose to people," Frankel said. "The city has become safer in many respects."